Comments on: LITTLE HOUSE: Reflected Affection http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:43:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Cheryl Malandrinos http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-7601 Cheryl Malandrinos Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:44:00 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-7601 Wonderful insights into this Megan. I always felt that Charles's change of heart begins in "Wilder and Wilder" when Almanzo forfeits the arm wrestling match to save Barnum and Charles gets to wintess firsthand what a proper suitor he could be for Laura versus the self-serving Perley Day. The humorous exchange between Charles and Almanzo when Charles asks him to stop calling him sir and Almanzo automatically calls him sir moments later and Charles replies, "You're welcome son," shows Charles's acceptance of Almanzo in Laura's life. "Sweet Sixteen" is certainly one of my favorite episodes as well. I hope you have a great day! Cheryl Wonderful insights into this Megan. I always felt that Charles’s change of heart begins in “Wilder and Wilder” when Almanzo forfeits the arm wrestling match to save Barnum and Charles gets to wintess firsthand what a proper suitor he could be for Laura versus the self-serving Perley Day. The humorous exchange between Charles and Almanzo when Charles asks him to stop calling him sir and Almanzo automatically calls him sir moments later and Charles replies, “You’re welcome son,” shows Charles’s acceptance of Almanzo in Laura’s life.

“Sweet Sixteen” is certainly one of my favorite episodes as well.

I hope you have a great day!

Cheryl

]]> By: Megan http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-7593 Megan Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:35:25 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-7593 Although it may be true that Laura and Almanzo' s courtship was altered and somewhat "streamlined" for the sake of the show, I don't believe it affected the overall interpretation of their relationshop or it's outcome. There is a lot of very good work being done in this episode, by yourself, by Melissa and also by Michael Landon, that help the audience discover and accept Almanzo's new feelings, and a budding new romance, right along with the characters. In particular I am quite fond of the scene at the Wilder house, between Eliza and Almanzo. They are having tea and he is so distracted and confounded by his feelings that he doesn't even realize that he's dumping spoonful after spoonful of sugar in the cup! It's funny on top, but there's a subtle underfeeling of longing and confusion that comes from Almanzo that is brilliant. It's scenes like this, like the one where Almanzo picks Laura up for the first time and when he has his little talk with Charles about his feelings, that enable us to come on board with the courtship a little at a time, get excited about it and breathe a lovely sigh of relief when Laura and Almanzo are "officially" together in the end. It is (clearly) one of my very favorite episodes and one of your finest as the character of Almanzo. Although it may be true that Laura and Almanzo’ s courtship was altered and somewhat “streamlined” for the sake of the show, I don’t believe it affected the overall interpretation of their relationshop or it’s outcome.
There is a lot of very good work being done in this episode, by yourself, by Melissa and also by Michael Landon, that help the audience discover and accept Almanzo’s new feelings, and a budding new romance, right along with the characters. In particular I am quite fond of the scene at the Wilder house, between Eliza and Almanzo. They are having tea and he is so distracted and confounded by his feelings that he doesn’t even realize that he’s dumping spoonful after spoonful of sugar in the cup! It’s funny on top, but there’s a subtle underfeeling of longing and confusion that comes from Almanzo that is brilliant. It’s scenes like this, like the one where Almanzo picks Laura up for the first time and when he has his little talk with Charles about his feelings, that enable us to come on board with the courtship a little at a time, get excited about it and breathe a lovely sigh of relief when Laura and Almanzo are “officially” together in the end. It is (clearly) one of my very favorite episodes and one of your finest as the character of Almanzo.

]]> By: Tammie http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-6389 Tammie Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:03:14 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-6389 Hi Dean, It is really nice to be able to write to you since I have been a Little House fan since its beginning, and I will admit, like most pre-teen girls I had a huge crush on you when you started the show. Recently I have been watching some episodes surrounding the courtship of Laura and Almanzo and I agree it should have been drawn out more. There had to be more than a new hairstyle to make him stand back and notice her, and that is what it seemed like in SWEET SIXTEEN. It just seemed odd that Laura, who was so in love with him that she would do anything to secure his love in return, didn't seem to treat him that well after she got him. Sometimes she seemed condescending to him or just plain unreasonable. That's only my perception, but while I think you and Melissa played your parts well, I think the writers didn't explore that relationship as well as they should have. I guess being a 30 plus housewife with 2 kids, I view relationships a little differently than a pre-teen school girl. Anyway, just wanted to throw that out to you. When I recently watched DIVORCE:WALNUT GROVE STYLE, I just wanted to yell at the TV. "Laura, Grow UP". I think my husband would not be as understanding of a jealous tantrum as Almanzo was, so good for him. Hi Dean,
It is really nice to be able to write to you since I have been a Little House fan since its beginning, and I will admit, like most pre-teen girls I had a huge crush on you when you started the show. Recently I have been watching some episodes surrounding the courtship of Laura and Almanzo and I agree it should have been drawn out more. There had to be more than a new hairstyle to make him stand back and notice her, and that is what it seemed like in SWEET SIXTEEN. It just seemed odd that Laura, who was so in love with him that she would do anything to secure his love in return, didn’t seem to treat him that well after she got him. Sometimes she seemed condescending to him or just plain unreasonable. That’s only my perception, but while I think you and Melissa played your parts well, I think the writers didn’t explore that relationship as well as they should have. I guess being a 30 plus housewife with 2 kids, I view relationships a little differently than a pre-teen school girl. Anyway, just wanted to throw that out to you. When I recently watched DIVORCE:WALNUT GROVE STYLE, I just wanted to yell at the TV. “Laura, Grow UP”. I think my husband would not be as understanding of a jealous tantrum as Almanzo was, so good for him.

]]> By: sabrina haas/lightower http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-2804 sabrina haas/lightower Fri, 16 May 2008 00:32:25 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-2804 HI DEAN hello my name is sabrina but they call me shiphra and Iam 10 yaers old and I watch little house on the prairi every night and I think you are a wonderful actor and I hope you read the bible cause thats what I do and I'm praying for you reply HI DEAN
hello my name is sabrina but they call me shiphra and Iam 10 yaers old
and I watch little house on the prairi every night and I think you are a
wonderful actor and I hope you read the bible cause thats what I do and
I’m praying for you

reply

]]> By: Cheryl C. Malandrinos http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-2160 Cheryl C. Malandrinos Thu, 01 May 2008 18:21:40 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-2160 Tristi, Thanks for the nice write up about Dean and all the work he's doing to keep Laura's legacy alive at http://media.families.com/blog/television-actor-keeps-legacy-alive I know I'm biased when it comes to Dean, but I think it's wonderful the way that he's stayed so in tune with the character he played on TV, and every time I hear something new about him, I admire his work even more. I truly believe attention needs to be brought to Dean's work with Peake Moore Enterprises and Legacy Documentaries. I thank you for taking the time to help with that. Cheryl Tristi,

Thanks for the nice write up about Dean and all the work he’s doing to keep Laura’s legacy alive at http://media.families.com/blog/television-actor-keeps-legacy-alive

I know I’m biased when it comes to Dean, but I think it’s wonderful the way that he’s stayed so in tune with the character he played on TV, and every time I hear something new about him, I admire his work even more.

I truly believe attention needs to be brought to Dean’s work with Peake Moore Enterprises and Legacy Documentaries. I thank you for taking the time to help with that.

Cheryl

]]> By: Tristi Pinkston http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-2100 Tristi Pinkston Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:02:40 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-2100 Dean, first of all, may I say what a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm a huge (read: raving lunatic) fan of the Little House books and loved the show as well. I agree with your assessment of the courtship in the book vs. the show. I love the way Laura and Almanzo fell in love in the book and have always felt that would translate beautifully onto the screen. You did an awesome job, but I do sometimes wonder if there was a way to combine the two. That said, I appreciate so much what you brought to the show and the work you're still doing to keep the legacy alive. Little House is such a part of our American culture, and I love the way my mother read it as a girl, I read it as a girl, and I'm now sharing it with my daughter and we watch the show together all the time. Dean, first of all, may I say what a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m a huge (read: raving lunatic) fan of the Little House books and loved the show as well.

I agree with your assessment of the courtship in the book vs. the show. I love the way Laura and Almanzo fell in love in the book and have always felt that would translate beautifully onto the screen. You did an awesome job, but I do sometimes wonder if there was a way to combine the two.

That said, I appreciate so much what you brought to the show and the work you’re still doing to keep the legacy alive. Little House is such a part of our American culture, and I love the way my mother read it as a girl, I read it as a girl, and I’m now sharing it with my daughter and we watch the show together all the time.

]]> By: Shannon http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-1701 Shannon Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:58:27 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-1701 Hi Dean, You have reawakened my interest in the LHOP books, which I am now reading. Your upcoming documentary about Almanzo has me reading Farmer Boy first, even though it's the third book in the series. I currently live in New York City, and perhaps watching and reading LHOP lately is my indulgent "escape," since it so dramatically contrasts my current environment. I've been a lifelong fan of the show, particularly the Almanzo and Laura episodes; and I do wish there were more shows that focused on their courtship. Almanzo was a true gentleman, and you made every little girl viewer fall in love with his character. I am grateful to now have a broader knowledge of the show and characters, thanks to your blog. I've also been watching the interviews and commentary on the imavision dvds. I truly appreciate both the show and the books, and I am so grateful that you are continuing to build upon the legacy that Laura Ingalls Wilder and Michael Landon began. Saying that reminds me of the episode, "The Legacy," where Charles designs a table that he hoped would be a way for him to be remembered, long after he was gone. You are certainly leaving your "mark," with your wonderfully thoughtful and unique documentaries. Keep up the excellent work! I look forward to hearing more from you! Shannon Hi Dean,
You have reawakened my interest in the LHOP books, which I am now reading. Your upcoming documentary about Almanzo has me reading Farmer Boy first, even though it’s the third book in the series. I currently live in New York City, and perhaps watching and reading LHOP lately is my indulgent “escape,” since it so dramatically contrasts my current environment. I’ve been a lifelong fan of the show, particularly the Almanzo and Laura episodes; and I do wish there were more shows that focused on their courtship. Almanzo was a true gentleman, and you made every little girl viewer fall in love with his character. I am grateful to now have a broader knowledge of the show and characters, thanks to your blog. I’ve also been watching the interviews and commentary on the imavision dvds. I truly appreciate both the show and the books, and I am so grateful that you are continuing to build upon the legacy that Laura Ingalls Wilder and Michael Landon began. Saying that reminds me of the episode, “The Legacy,” where Charles designs a table that he hoped would be a way for him to be remembered, long after he was gone. You are certainly leaving your “mark,” with your wonderfully thoughtful and unique documentaries. Keep up the excellent work! I look forward to hearing more from you!
Shannon

]]> By: Michelle http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-1623 Michelle Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:17:17 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-1623 H Dean, I have always loved the Little House on the Prairie books and shows. Like you said though I was one that was dissappointed with how unlike the books the show is. It seems there are so many different takes on Little House on the Prairie these days. There was that movie beyond the prairie which showed Almanzo and Laura dating and getting married and moving to Minnesota and that was totally different. I love them all though. I would love to go visit the places she lived. Maybe some day. Michelle H Dean, I have always loved the Little House on the Prairie books and shows. Like you said though I was one that was dissappointed with how unlike the books the show is. It seems there are so many different takes on Little House on the Prairie these days. There was that movie beyond the prairie which showed Almanzo and Laura dating and getting married and moving to Minnesota and that was totally different. I love them all though. I would love to go visit the places she lived. Maybe some day.
Michelle

]]> By: Allen Kephart http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-1603 Allen Kephart Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:58:27 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-1603 Hi Dean! Just wanted to say that I have enjoyed the Little House TV series since it began in 1974. It really is one of those classic shows that will be with us forever, like I Love Lucy (another classic and favorite of mine). I am currently watching my Little House DVD collection (I have the pilot, seasons 1-9 and the three movies that followed). I am enjoying the show all over again. I plan on ordering your Almanzo documentary. It looks interesting. Although I was not born on the same day, the real Laura Ingalls was born 100 years before I was (she was born in 1867 and I was born in 1967). I was born in Watertown, South Dakota. The real Ingalls family stayed in DeSmet, South Dakota for a while. I have lived most of my life in California, which is the state where most of the show was filmed in. Interesting simularties between myself and the Little House saga. Keep up the good work. I am currently on Season 6, a couple of episodes before Albert accidentally sets fire to the blind school. I will be watching my DVDs until the town gets blown up in the end (Little House is the only show that I can think of that can really say it went out with a bang!- A little humor here). Take care, Allen Hi Dean!

Just wanted to say that I have enjoyed the Little House TV series since it began in 1974. It really is one of those classic shows that will be with us forever, like I Love Lucy (another classic and favorite of mine). I am currently watching my Little House DVD collection (I have the pilot, seasons 1-9 and the three movies that followed). I am enjoying the show all over again. I plan on ordering your Almanzo documentary. It looks interesting. Although I was not born on the same day, the real Laura Ingalls was born 100 years before I was (she was born in 1867 and I was born in 1967). I was born in Watertown, South Dakota. The real Ingalls family stayed in DeSmet, South Dakota for a while. I have lived most of my life in California, which is the state where most of the show was filmed in. Interesting simularties between myself and the Little House saga.

Keep up the good work. I am currently on Season 6, a couple of episodes before Albert accidentally sets fire to the blind school. I will be watching my DVDs until the town gets blown up in the end (Little House is the only show that I can think of that can really say it went out with a bang!- A little humor here).

Take care,

Allen

]]> By: Lynne Hodges http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-1600 Lynne Hodges Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:45:12 +0000 http://legacydocumentaries.com/blog/?p=44#comment-1600 Dean, Just to add to the questions that Mike has asked, I heard that portions of the ranch were sold a few years back to developers to build houses. Is this correct and was any of the land part of the former Walnut Grove community? I saw the Weekend Today segment and the YouTube clip of your Remembering the Last Farewell production and what was shown still looks like ranchland. Thanks Lynne Dean,

Just to add to the questions that Mike has asked, I heard that portions of the ranch were sold a few years back to developers to build houses. Is this correct and was any of the land part of the former Walnut Grove community? I saw the Weekend Today segment and the YouTube clip of your Remembering the Last Farewell production and what was shown still looks like ranchland.

Thanks
Lynne

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